Ofakim
Ofakim
אופקים | |
|---|---|
Street in Ofakim | |
| Coordinates: 31°19′N 34°37′E / 31.317°N 34.617°E | |
| Country | Israel |
| District | Southern |
| Subdistrict | Beersheba |
| Founded | 19 April 1955 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Body | Municipality of Ofakim |
| • Mayor | Yitzhak Danino |
| Area | |
• Total | 10,273 dunams (10.273 km2 or 3.966 sq mi) |
| Population (2022) | |
• Total | 35,506 |
| • Density | 3,500/km2 (9,000/sq mi) |
| Ethnicity | |
| • Jews and others | 99.3% |
| • Arabs | 0.7% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (IST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (IDT) |
| Name meaning | Horizons |
| Website | www.ofaqim.muni.il |
Ofakim (Hebrew: אופקים, lit. 'Horizons') is a city in the Southern District of Israel, 20 kilometers (12.4 mi) west of Beersheba. It achieved municipal status in 1955. It has an area of 10,000 dunams (~3.9 sq mi; 10 km2). In 2022, it had a population of 35,506.
Ofakim was established as a development town in 1955. For many years it was a major textile manufacturing center until outsourcing led to the closure of factories. As a result, Ofakim suffered from poverty and unemployment. Since the 2000s, new businesses have opened, improving the economic outlook.
In 2023, Ofakim was attacked by Hamas militants who infiltrated the city and killed 47 residents.